list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around The Asphalt Jungle on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/The_Asphalt_Jungle/1808/default.aspx Title: The Asphalt Jungle
Year: 1950
Director: John Huston
Plot: The Asphalt Jungle is a brilliantly conceived and executed anatomy of a crime -- or, as director John Huston and scripter Ben Maddow put it, "a left-handed form of human endeavor." Recently paroled master criminal Erwin "Doc" Riedenschneider (Sam Jaffe), with funding from crooked attorney Emmerich (Louis Calhern), gathers several crooks together in Cincinnati for a Big Caper. Among those involved are Dix (Sterling Hayden), an impoverished hood who sees the upcoming jewel heist as a means to finance his dream of owning a horse farm. Hunch-backed cafe owner (James Whitmore) is hired on to be the driver for the heist; professional safecracker Louis Ciavelli (Anthony Caruso) assembles the tools of his trade; and a bookie (Marc Lawrence) acts as Emmerich's go-between. The robbery is pulled off successfully, but an alert night watchman shoots Ciavelli. Corrupt cop (Barry Kelley), angry that his "patsy" (Lawrence) didn't let him in on the caper, beats the bookie into confessing and fingering the other criminals involved. From this point on, the meticulously planned crime falls apart with the inevitability of a Greek tragedy. Way down on the cast list is Marilyn Monroe in her star-making bit as Emmerich's sexy "niece"; whenever The Asphalt Jungle would be reissued, Monroe would figure prominently in the print ads as one of the stars. The Asphalt Jungle was based on a novel by the prolific W.R. Burnett, who also wrote Little Caesar and Saint Johnson (the fictionalized life story of Wyatt Earp). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 3
Number of Lists: 13
Number of blog posts: 4
Number of discussion threads: 4
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:56:22 GMTThe Asphalt Jungle1950John HustonThe Asphalt Jungle is a brilliantly conceived and executed anatomy of a crime -- or, as director <a href="/players/P____95260/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>John Huston</a> and scripter <a href="/players/P___100700/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Ben Maddow</a> put it, "a left-handed form of human endeavor." Recently paroled master criminal Erwin "Doc" Riedenschneider (<a href="/players/P____95767/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Sam Jaffe</a>), with funding from crooked attorney Emmerich (<a href="/players/P____10266/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Louis Calhern</a>), gathers several crooks together in Cincinnati for a Big Caper. Among those involved are Dix (<a href="/players/P____31197/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Sterling Hayden</a>), an impoverished hood who sees the upcoming jewel heist as a means to finance his dream of owning a horse farm. Hunch-backed cafe owner (<a href="/players/P____76027/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>James Whitmore</a>) is hired on to be the driver for the heist; professional safecracker Louis Ciavelli (<a href="/players/P____11476/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Anthony Caruso</a>) assembles the tools of his trade; and a bookie (<a href="/players/P____98933/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Marc Lawrence</a>) acts as Emmerich's go-between. The robbery is pulled off successfully, but an alert night watchman shoots Ciavelli. Corrupt cop (<a href="/players/P____37448/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Barry Kelley</a>), angry that his "patsy" (Lawrence) didn't let him in on the caper, beats the bookie into confessing and fingering the other criminals involved. From this point on, the meticulously planned crime falls apart with the inevitability of a Greek tragedy. Way down on the cast list is <a href="/players/P____50065/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Marilyn Monroe</a> in her star-making bit as Emmerich's sexy "niece"; whenever The Asphalt Jungle would be reissued, Monroe would figure prominently in the print ads as one of the stars. The Asphalt Jungle was based on a novel by the prolific W.R. Burnett, who also wrote <a href=/films/20492/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Little Caesar</a> and Saint Johnson (the fictionalized life story of Wyatt Earp). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide3Slightly Tagged (1-5)13443http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t44140l8beu.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Asphalt_Jungle/1808/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Re_Weekly_Theme_for_January_12_What_Went_Wrong/625/39465/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 1/13/2009 2:12:16 PM
Body: [quote user="leeroy711"] I wasn't really sure what you call this theme. But basically, I'm talking about those great films that start out with a simple plan, that slowly and surely gets more and more screwed up as the story goes along. Many time (but not always) these are 'heist gone wrong' films, such as Stanley Kubrick's The Killing. Or John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle Sam Raimi used this in his very aptly titled A Simple Plan. And my favorite filmmakers, the Brothers Coen have used this beautifully in Blood Simple and Fargo. Whatch'all think?? I love watching films like this. They are usually a bit more formulaic than what I typically like but there's just something about it that I really like. More importantly, do you have a name for it? [/quote] I'm not EXACTLY sure why, but Quentin Tarantino and P.T. Anderson come to mind here.
]]>Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:12:16 GMTRisseladaWeekly Theme1/13/2009 2:12:16 PM[quote user="leeroy711"] I wasn't really sure what you call this theme. But basically, I'm talking about those great films that start out with a simple plan, that slowly and surely gets more and more screwed up as the story goes along. Many time (but not always) these are 'heist gone wrong' films, such as Stanley Kubrick's The Killing. Or John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle Sam Raimi used this in his very aptly titled A Simple Plan. And my favorite filmmakers, the Brothers Coen have used this beautifully in Blood Simple and Fargo. Whatch'all think?? I love watching films like this. They are usually a bit more formulaic than what I typically like but there's just something about it that I really like. More importantly, do you have a name for it? [/quote] I'm not EXACTLY sure why, but Quentin Tarantino and P.T. Anderson come to mind here. http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Re_Weekly_Theme_for_January_12_What_Went_Wrong/625/39451/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: csprague
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 1/13/2009 10:49:12 AM
Body: [quote user="leeroy711"] I wasn't really sure what you call this theme. But basically, I'm talking about those great films that start out with a simple plan, that slowly and surely gets more and more screwed up as the story goes along. Many time (but not always) these are 'heist gone wrong' films, such as Stanley Kubrick's The Killing. Or John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle Sam Raimi used this in his very aptly titled A Simple Plan. And my favorite filmmakers, the Brothers Coen have used this beautifully in Blood Simple and Fargo. Whatch'all think?? I love watching films like this. They are usually a bit more formulaic than what I typically like but there's just something about it that I really like. More importantly, do you have a name for it? [/quote] This one's completely different than the ones you listed, but Smiley Face was pretty crazy like that. All she had to do was pay a bill and it turned into a very long and twisted journey. Awesome:) Lesson Learned: Don't smoke pot and try to pay your bills.
]]>Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:49:12 GMTcspragueWeekly Theme1/13/2009 10:49:12 AM[quote user="leeroy711"] I wasn't really sure what you call this theme. But basically, I'm talking about those great films that start out with a simple plan, that slowly and surely gets more and more screwed up as the story goes along. Many time (but not always) these are 'heist gone wrong' films, such as Stanley Kubrick's The Killing. Or John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle Sam Raimi used this in his very aptly titled A Simple Plan. And my favorite filmmakers, the Brothers Coen have used this beautifully in Blood Simple and Fargo. Whatch'all think?? I love watching films like this. They are usually a bit more formulaic than what I typically like but there's just something about it that I really like. More importantly, do you have a name for it? [/quote] This one's completely different than the ones you listed, but Smiley Face was pretty crazy like that. All she had to do was pay a bill and it turned into a very long and twisted journey. Awesome:) Lesson Learned: Don't smoke pot and try to pay your bills. http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Weekly_Theme_for_January_12_What_Went_Wrong/625/39433/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: leeroy711
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 1/12/2009 8:41:49 PM
Body: I wasn't really sure what you call this theme. But basically, I'm talking about those great films that start out with a simple plan, that slowly and surely gets more and more screwed up as the story goes along. Many time (but not always) these are 'heist gone wrong' films, such as Stanley Kubrick's The Killing. Or John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle Sam Raimi used this in his very aptly titled A Simple Plan. And my favorite filmmakers, the Brothers Coen have used this beautifully in Blood Simple and Fargo. Whatch'all think?? I love watching films like this. They are usually a bit more formulaic than what I typically like but there's just something about it that I really like. More importantly, do you have a name for it?
]]>Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:41:49 GMTleeroy711Weekly Theme1/12/2009 8:41:49 PMI wasn't really sure what you call this theme. But basically, I'm talking about those great films that start out with a simple plan, that slowly and surely gets more and more screwed up as the story goes along. Many time (but not always) these are 'heist gone wrong' films, such as Stanley Kubrick's The Killing. Or John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle Sam Raimi used this in his very aptly titled A Simple Plan. And my favorite filmmakers, the Brothers Coen have used this beautifully in Blood Simple and Fargo. Whatch'all think?? I love watching films like this. They are usually a bit more formulaic than what I typically like but there's just something about it that I really like. More importantly, do you have a name for it? http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Games/Re_Six_Degrees_3/598/32689/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Smooth_J
Post To: Movie Games
Post Date: 7/17/2008 3:52:59 PM
Body: This was really just to see if I could do it...I included cameos that aren't mentioned on the Spout cast pages. Marilyn Monroe-James Whitmore in Asphalt Jungle J. Whitmore-Tim Robbins in Shawshank Redemption Tim Robbins-Ben Stiller in Anchorman (both cameos in the fight scene) Ben Stiller-Danny Devito in Duplex (Devito was the director) Danny Devito-Courtney Love in Man on the Moon I feel like using the thread that I did there was probably a quicker way to do it, but it was making my head hurt so I sort of just expanded it to make it easier.
]]>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:52:59 GMTSmooth_JMovie Games7/17/2008 3:52:59 PMThis was really just to see if I could do it...I included cameos that aren't mentioned on the Spout cast pages. Marilyn Monroe-James Whitmore in Asphalt Jungle J. Whitmore-Tim Robbins in Shawshank Redemption Tim Robbins-Ben Stiller in Anchorman (both cameos in the fight scene) Ben Stiller-Danny Devito in Duplex (Devito was the director) Danny Devito-Courtney Love in Man on the Moon I feel like using the thread that I did there was probably a quicker way to do it, but it was making my head hurt so I sort of just expanded it to make it easier. http://www.spout.com/blogs/unclefestering/archive/2008/5/8/28385.aspx Post By: unclefestering
Post To: unclefestering Blog
Post Date: 5/8/2008 8:43:02 PM
Body: If you listen to the Filmspotting podcast you are familiar with their marathons. One of their recent marathons was on the Film Noir classics. After watching some great movies like Double Indemnity (1944) and the The Asphalt Jungle (1950) and some much lesser Noir films like Gun Crazy (1949) , I was burned out on the style for a while, but I was inspired to see The Big Sleep. I waited a couple weeks for my batteries to recharge and am I ever glad I did. In many films that star real life couples, the characters they play often seem like burned out versions of themselves. Not here. Bogart and Bacall are simmering in every scene together. The bodies pile up as William Faulkner's screenplay tries to make sense of Raymond Chandler's macguffins and red herrings, but in the end it is all good. We get the ending we want.
]]>Fri, 09 May 2008 00:43:02 GMTunclefesteringunclefestering Blog5/8/2008 8:43:02 PMIf you listen to the Filmspotting podcast you are familiar with their marathons. One of their recent marathons was on the Film Noir classics. After watching some great movies like Double Indemnity (1944) and the The Asphalt Jungle (1950) and some much lesser Noir films like Gun Crazy (1949) , I was burned out on the style for a while, but I was inspired to see The Big Sleep. I waited a couple weeks for my batteries to recharge and am I ever glad I did. In many films that star real life couples, the characters they play often seem like burned out versions of themselves. Not here. Bogart and Bacall are simmering in every scene together. The bodies pile up as William Faulkner's screenplay tries to make sense of Raymond Chandler's macguffins and red herrings, but in the end it is all good. We get the ending we want. http://www.spout.com/blogs/dibot/archive/2007/7/18/15191.aspx Post By: dibot
Post To: dibot Blog
Post Date: 7/18/2007 11:45:00 AM
Body: The filmspotting noir marathon started out very strong. I was loving every movie. But the last two films left me a bit cold. The Asphalt Jungle is very famous, directed by John Huston ("Prizzi's Honor"), nominated for four Oscars, but I couldn't get into it. It's very well done. The cinematography is gorgeous, but I just didn't care about any of the characters, or even the story really. Maybe because this is a heist film instead of a detective story. And I don't always enjoy a heist. But at least all of the women weren't evil. So that's a plus. But at the same time, there wasn't a femme fatale.I enjoyed Kiss Me Deadly a bit more. Possibly because it was so strange. Detective Mike Hammer picks up a scantily clad female hitchhiker. She asks him to remember her if she doesn't make it. So when their car is overtaken, leaving her dead and him unconscious, he sets out to unravel the mystery. Though I can't say I really liked any of the characters in this film, either, I was at least intrigued by their stories. And the ending is very bizarre.Akeelah and the Bee is a pretty much by-the-numbers drama about a girl from a poor urban neighborhood who tries to win the National Spelling Bee. And though I could see every plot point coming from a mile off, I still enjoyed it. Keke Palmer ("Medea's Family Reunion") is super precious as Akeelah and Lawrence Fishburne ("Bobby") keeps the teacher role from becoming terribly cliched. This would be excellent family viewing.Though Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream")'s The Fountain totally tanked at the box office, I was immediately drawn into it visually. Then I found myself emotionally invested in the story as well. Though I'm not sure exactly which parts were meant to be story and which parts were real life, it didn't matter. Hugh Jackman ("Happy Feet") totally sells every minute of each story. And did I mention the stunning visuals?
]]>Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:45:00 GMTdibotdibot Blog7/18/2007 11:45:00 AMThe filmspotting noir marathon started out very strong. I was loving every movie. But the last two films left me a bit cold. The Asphalt Jungle is very famous, directed by John Huston ("Prizzi&#39;s Honor"), nominated for four Oscars, but I couldn&#39;t get into it. It&#39;s very well done. The cinematography is gorgeous, but I just didn&#39;t care about any of the characters, or even the story really. Maybe because this is a heist film instead of a detective story. And I don&#39;t always enjoy a heist. But at least all of the women weren&#39;t evil. So that&#39;s a plus. But at the same time, there wasn&#39;t a femme fatale.I enjoyed Kiss Me Deadly a bit more. Possibly because it was so strange. Detective Mike Hammer picks up a scantily clad female hitchhiker. She asks him to remember her if she doesn&#39;t make it. So when their car is overtaken, leaving her dead and him unconscious, he sets out to unravel the mystery. Though I can&#39;t say I really liked any of the characters in this film, either, I was at least intrigued by their stories. And the ending is very bizarre.Akeelah and the Bee is a pretty much by-the-numbers drama about a girl from a poor urban neighborhood who tries to win the National Spelling Bee. And though I could see every plot point coming from a mile off, I still enjoyed it. Keke Palmer ("Medea&#39;s Family Reunion") is super precious as Akeelah and Lawrence Fishburne ("Bobby") keeps the teacher role from becoming terribly cliched. This would be excellent family viewing.Though Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream")&#39;s The Fountain totally tanked at the box office, I was immediately drawn into it visually. Then I found myself emotionally invested in the story as well. Though I&#39;m not sure exactly which parts were meant to be story and which parts were real life, it didn&#39;t matter. Hugh Jackman ("Happy Feet") totally sells every minute of each story. And did I mention the stunning visuals? http://www.spout.com/blogs/jimbell/archive/2007/5/5/8195.aspx Post By: JimBell
Post To: JimBell Blog
Post Date: 5/5/2007 2:34:00 AM
Body: The Asphalt Jungle tells the story of the criminal underbelly of modern American cities. The film noir photography is excellent, but the same cannot be said for the acting, the sound, the suspense, and even Marilyn Monroe in her two scenes.
]]>Sat, 05 May 2007 06:34:00 GMTJimBellJimBell Blog5/5/2007 2:34:00 AM The Asphalt Jungle tells the story of the criminal underbelly of modern American cities. The film noir photography is excellent, but the same cannot be said for the acting, the sound, the suspense, and even Marilyn Monroe in her two scenes. http://www.spout.com/blogs/hairylime/archive/2007/3/13/6325.aspx Post By: HairyLime
Post To: HairyLime Blog
Post Date: 3/13/2007 10:04:00 PM
Body: Unusual Clint Eastwood vehicle, in that he participates in an ensemble cast rather than being the sole focus of the plot. A combination Road Movie/Buddy Picture/Caper Film that I was drawn to after researching the 1974 oscar race, and noticing Jeff Bridges nominated for his role in this film. Michael Cimino puts together a tight, well-paced character study with occasional surreal touches (what's up with the guy with a trunkload of white rabbits?) that carries none of the pretentious baggage and extraneous backstory that plagued his Deer Hunter/Heaven's Gate years. George Kennedy puts in a fine performance as an ex partner of Eastwood's with a huge chip on his shoulder, and Jeff Bridges puts in another in what would eventually prove to be a long career of underappreciated character roles. Also a good 'downer' ending that could only have come from the seventies. Other good 'caper gone wrong' movies that I also enjoy: Kubrick's The Killing, The Hot Rock, The Asphalt Jungle
]]>Wed, 14 Mar 2007 02:04:00 GMTHairyLimeHairyLime Blog3/13/2007 10:04:00 PMUnusual Clint Eastwood vehicle, in that he participates in an ensemble cast rather than being the sole focus of the plot. A combination Road Movie/Buddy Picture/Caper Film that I was drawn to after researching the 1974 oscar race, and noticing Jeff Bridges nominated for his role in this film. Michael Cimino puts together a tight, well-paced character study with occasional surreal touches (what&#39;s up with the guy with a trunkload of white rabbits?) that carries none of the pretentious baggage and extraneous backstory that plagued his Deer Hunter/Heaven&#39;s Gate years. George Kennedy puts in a fine performance as an ex partner of Eastwood&#39;s with a huge chip on his shoulder, and Jeff Bridges puts in another in what would eventually prove to be a long career of underappreciated character roles. Also a good &#39;downer&#39; ending that could only have come from the seventies. Other good &#39;caper gone wrong&#39; movies that I also enjoy: Kubrick&#39;s The Killing, The Hot Rock, The Asphalt Jungle http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/film/MemberTagFilms.aspxfilm
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